Last week, I attended an annual public policy conference organised by the Australian think tank The Centre for Independent Studies on topics that ranged from foreign affairs to global economics. However, one of the sessions – traditionally reserved for the latest developments in science and engineering – was most humbling, particularly for the economists attending. Read more

Have you ever heard of Alexander Dobrindt? He must be a member of Superheroes Anonymous because the provincial politician has just taken on the "most powerful woman in the world”, Angela Merkel. Read more

Population growth is always an issue of intense debate, bouncing between a nation’s acceptance (and need) for migrants and an anti-foreigner sentiment. New Zealand and Australia are both typical and similar in this regard – both have relatively low populations for their size. Read more

After three years of the euro crisis, and despite numerous summits, various acronymed bailouts, and countless solemn pledges to save Europe’s common currency, we are nowhere closer to a solution than at the outset. The euro’s troubles have every chance of joining poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, violence in the Middle East and North Korea’s nuclear program as a standard feature of the world in which we live: unpleasant, dangerous and yet seemingly unalterable. Read more

Economics students generally learn how to deal with recessions in their first semester. To cushion the economy in a downturn and speed up the recovery, students are taught to cut interest rates and provide fiscal stimulus. Read more

The most remarkable feature of the global financial crisis is its sheer duration. For five years now, developed economies have been in trouble – much longer than ‘ordinary’ recessions usually last. Read more

Few things in politics look more certain than a change of government after the next Australian election in 2013. The Gillard Labor government is polling abysmally and plagued by constant leadership quarrels. Read more

Of all the reasons why Europe’s monetary crisis keeps dragging on, the lack of a common language is not the most obvious one. Why should it matter when the predominant language of finance, politics and diplomacy is English? Read more

The Western world since the Enlightenment has been shaped by the inviolability of rule of law, a commitment to scientific enquiry, and an adherence to democratic process. But at the root of all of these values lies an openness to ideas and a willingness to discuss them. Read more

While the rest of Europe was still debating fiscal solutions to the debt crisis, Mario Draghi reminded us that the answer may well be monetary. By signalling the possibility of strong ECB intervention in bond markets, the ECB president did not only calm the markets temporarily; he also revealed where the EU is heading. Read more

With the London Olympics about to start, it is time to reveal the medal tally. China will win 102 medals (gold, silver and bronze), followed closely by the United States (100), Russia (71), and the United Kingdom (71). Read more

Europe’s politicians are quick learners. It has only taken them about 2½ years to realise that Greece cannot be saved within the eurozone. Read more

Until a few decades ago, Australian cities were rank outsiders in the Asia-Pacific region. Prosperous, globally connected, democratic, Western-standard—they were in effect European enclaves in Asia’s southern backyard. Read more

It is the mantra of Europe’s political elites: To overcome the crisis more, not less, integration is required: more political integration, more banking integration, more fiscal integration. At the conclusion of this process, not only will the crisis be over but Europe will be a united superstate. Read more

Internships are a fantastic way for students to gain real world experience. Conversely, it makes sense for employers to employ interns – not just because they are cheap but also because they are often highly motivated and creative. Read more